Disconnecting switch



Aug. 6, 1929. A. o. AUSTIN DISCONNECTING SWlTCH Filed Aug. ll, 1924 2 lSheets-Sheet l IN VEN TOR bym/l 074A@ www( A TTORNEY 0 lig. 6, 1929. 0, AIUS'HN 1,723,837

DI SCONNECTING SWITCH Filed Aug. 11, 1924v 2 Sheets-Sheetl 2 BY a A TTORNHY 5 Patented Ang. 1929i oFFiCE.

ARTHUR o. A Us'rm, oF. BARBERTON, oHIo, AssIGNoR, BY Masiva Ass1GNMnNrs, 'ro

rniiomo BRASS COMPANY, or iirA1\rsF;cEi:.D,omo,A A ooRPoRA'rIoN oF NEW.

SEY. i

DIscoNNEcTlNG SWITCH Application iea August 11, 1924. serial iro. 731,507.

This invention .relates to switches .for transmission lines and especially for high potential linesfin which the switch is conb nected directly to theline.

The invention is exemplified in the com.-

"bination and arrangement of parts shown'` in the accompanying drawings anddescribed in the following specification, and it iS more particularly pointed l'out in the appended claims.

In high voltage. disconnecting switches the cost of insulators is an important item in the .cost of the'switch. Tliesimplicity Aand'alignmentof the. switch parts and the '-:certainty 'of operation are very imp''rtant features. Switclies are' sometimes operated at very infrequent intervals so that there may be a tendency of the plates to stick, preventing the opening of the switch or 1nterfering with proper closing. Itis the object of the present invention to improve` some of these conditions.

Fig. 1 shows the side elevation of one pole. of a disconnectingswitch.

Fig. 2 shows the end elevation of a single pole ofthe Switch.

Figs. 3 and 4 are views similar to Figs. 1 and 2 but showing a modified `form of the invention. v In Figs. 1, 10 and 11 are. the incoming lines. Low resistance electrical contact is made between incoming lines 10 and 11 to the switchblades or arms 12 and '.13 through the-jumpers 14 and also, through .a swivel .connection 15. The switch arms 12 and.v

'13 are attached rigidly to the rotating insulators 16 and 17.. The insulators 16 and 17 are mounted on shafts 18 and 19' which pass throu h the bearings 20, and which are mounte on a rigid supporting member 21. The shafts are keyed to crank arms 22 and 23 which in turn are connected to crank pins 24 and 25 through connecting lrods 26 and -27. The crank pins are connected through an arm 28 to'a shaft 29 which is Voperated by a sheave wheel 30 and chain 31.

In general,.the switch is made up of three identical pairs of ples like that shown in Fig.`1, one for each phase, although the elements .may be singularly `or gang operated for any numberv of' poles. In Fig. 1 the switch is shown in nloeed position. The incoming lines 10 and lit-.may come directly into'the switch or may be first dead ended or the line tension taken with another sulator mounted on the member; 21 or near.

In general, however, such thatthe average line may be attached directly to the switch, .eliminating addi' tional insulators. The two crank arms 22 .the construction is and 23 are onthe, same.side of' the center sometime, the contactsurfaces at 32 and 33 7Vhere a switch has been inoperation causing the .con-

arms vand the distance of the 24"`and 25 from the center. of

are likely to corrode so that a considerable force may be required, to `cause the two arms to separate. this difficulty the crank .pins 24: and 25 are so spaced,lboth radially and angularlythat the two blades will tendA to move inthe same direction-for a short distance before moving in opposite directions. This causes a In order to minimize -twisting motion and tends to lower the friction which may be caused by corrosion. This result is accomplished by spacing the crank pins 24 and 25 so that the line throu h the crank pins and center of rotation mais an angle with each other. Bylplacing.. one crank pin above and one below the center 'line through the operating point of attachment o the connect' rods 26 and 27 to the operating arms22 ang 23, it

will be seen that as a. rotation .of the cranks start, the ltendency will be to causerotationv in the same direction. j

It is very important that "a. switch remain either 'open or closed, unless a urposely thrown into the other osition. -TlIe mecha.- nism is -so laid out t at this feature will be taken care-of plishing the other desirable..results. .It is evident that if the crank larm 28 .with the crank pins 24; 'and 25 were free to rotate in a clockwise direction, the switch would tend to open with further rotation ina common clockwise direction. In the same manner, .1167

at the same time, accomi -positions. u necting rods 26.and 2T or to' the crank arm 28 will tend to maintainlthe s witch i'nwhichve'ver position it is thrown. If desired, anY

additioinal weight may be placed onthe 'con-` necting rods 26 and 27 or on a crank arm having the same general direction, attached to the shaft'or operating sheave.30 and on the same -side as the crank arm 2,8.'

Where the switch is used to disconnect a load orA 1to. break charging current, .it is arcing horns 34 which come in contact first in closingthe switch and which will be the' last .to break; contact.. These .prevent the -heavy current carrying capacity members 3,2 and 33 from being burned by the' arcing Openingjthe switch thelarcng horns tend .td-increase the lengthof the arc as the arc' {.ascends ft'ending to cause it to break.-

insure-that theparcing hgrns make'.contact until after Contact is broken between the members "2.v and 33, they are set in advanceof the ar-rs 12 and 13 or the current .carry- -ing contacts 32 and 33. A s the 'arms must continue to'. come together, it is necesary to provide 'considerable spring in the arcing' horns.' -Inz-some cases the 'horns themselves may havefenough spring, while in others'it Inay be necessary to attach them to the arms by springs`35.

there the switches operate under sleet conditions, a weathershed 3G is usually pro,- videdfto keep rain and sleet out of the contact fingers., Enteringv contact fingers -37 and 38 :ivh'ch forni a wide opening provide that anyxslight out of alignment'will not' `:interfere'with the blade entering the connection 15 so that the jumpers l4`may be dispcnsed with.: As the 'crank arms are prac-l tact fingers properly. Vhere the currents are light, sutlicient current carrying capacity may be obtained through vthe swlvel contically on'their center in open and closed positions, av slight. amount of angular displacement inthe operatin' crank will affect the 'position Aof the switc' arms but little. A further advantage is also gainedl in that the force which -mustgbeapplied to 'the operating shaft 29, is comparativelysmall This shaft may be i'n-'any suitable form.

If made inthe form ofa square, hexagon,l

o r other angular section, no special provision need be made for accurate spacing between switches for different phases as the shaft 29 in either open or. closed usually advisable to provide the switclrwith' which "would otherwise be established. .In n

'terial extending from the 'Since the .torsional moment in the shaft is exceedingly small at the start where the ,frictional -for'ce would be greatest, a rather small, shaft may be-used. This is'an advantage'as a' shaft.' may be 'small enough to readily spring along its axis to overcome.

irregularlties. in mounting or spring in structure.--The operating chain may be replacedbya cable, -a flexible band or other suitable`means'such 'as a bevel gear, or in some cases' theoperating ycra-nk arm'is attached directly to the shaft 29.'

In general, however, it is preferable to use a chain or cable which has more than one turn so that it may beanchoreddeti lnitel'y at some point in the sheave to prevent. gradual vcreeping under operation. The chain :may then -be carried down to auf other drum .50 whichi wil-lpreferably have a smaller' diameter so that'the crank 5l attached to the drum will have 'to be. given approximately,v one complete revolution, while the sheave wheel 30. is making one-half a revolution. This insures a low working .force on the crank arm'and makes it readlily possible to provide Aa stop 52 so that no heavy force will be thrown on the connect- 'ing rods or switch parts. Alxgfo're the Contact members are closed and -Where l.high voltages are used it frequently -happensthat discharges may occur to' ground under `surges on the system. Unless the dlsconne'cting switch 1s made with ground clearances, a discharge is likely to occur from the ends of the switch blades or from some part o f the disconnecting switch. To ,obvate this .difficulty the switch may be equipped.,with insulated controls-compris- I' ing'projecti-ng members of conducting macharged parts and having their extremities covered with dielectric material, as more .fully explained in my prior Patent N o.. 1,52l,743,.granted January 6, 19.25. The tendency to discharge either from the insulator or from the sharp ends of the switch is readily controlled by llt) insulated controls-as shown in Fig; 3. These A may be used in .various forms suitable for the particular conditions. Insulator shows an insulated control ring applied to the cap of one ,of the rotating insulators, 42 shows a different type. of insulated control applied .tothe other rotating member. -In

this case lthe insulated control may' be so positioned on the/insulator that it will pro-z ject into the strongest field .which would votherwise tend to discharge in either the open or closed position.'- A discharge from the ends of the open blades are prevented by the control .insulators 43 and 44. .These control insulators raise the flash-over voltage particularly for high frequency conditions,

thereby tending to eliminate discharges at the contact portions of the disconnecting switch. This permits the use of a smaller insulator for a' given factor of safety or A where the incoming lead drops down-to the switch from a higher elevation.v In this case a funnel shaped member 45 may be used where the axis-of the conductor makes an angle with the insulator to prevent sharp bending.' In this case the conductor usually has ample torsional movement or resiliency so that it may be clamped directly to the switch rotating'member, insuring good current carrying capacity at minimum cost.

Itv the axis of the' insulator is mounted in a horizontal position, the incoming line may come ldirectly into the insulator in the above manner, although there is considerable tension in the line. The lead l0 is attached to one of the rotating insulators through va swivel connection which has sufficient current carrying capacity.'

l. A disconnecting switch comprising a pair of spaced supports, contact arms extending from said supports toward each other and having their adjacent ends in contact with each other and means for wringing- -said arms together in one direction and subsequently separating said arms to break contact therebetween.

2. A disconnecting switch comprising a pair of spaced insulated supports, arms extending'toward each other` from said supports and having cooperating contact membersand `operating means for said armsv arranged to impart. a movement to said arms in the same direction to loosen the engagement between said contact members and Subsequently to impart relative movement .to said arms away from one. another to scpent movements to said crank arms dnring onepart of their operationfand for simultaneously movlng said crank arms in the.4

`same direction' during another parto their operation.

4. A- disconnecting switch comprising a' pair of spaced insulators having their axes substantially parallel with each other, switch arms mountedon said insulators and having electrical contact with each other` crank' arms connected with said insulators and ext-endinglaterally therefrom on the same side'o -the-plane of the axesI of said insulators,separate links-connected with said crank arms respectively and acommoncrank for operating said links simultaneously in the same direction said links being connected with said common crank at points on Qppositesidesof dead center position when said switch isclosed for impart-ing relatively different movements to said crank arms at the beginning of a switch-opening operation.

5. A disconnecting switch comprising a pair of` insulatn's having their axesarranged in spaced substantially parallel rclation, switch arms supported by said insulators and extending therefrom toward each other, crank arms connected with said insulators and'projecting laterally therefromv at the same side of the4 central plant of said insulators, links connected with said crank arms and a common crank ioroperd jatingsaidlinks, said links having spaced connections with said c ank to'impartmorcment to saidlinks in, opposite, directions at the beginning sof the movement of' vsaid crank and'subsctlnently tomove. said links in the same direction.

6. A- disconnecting switch comprising a pair of supports, contact members carried by said supports and mechanism, including a crank for rotating said supports, said crank being'arranged approximately at its dead center position when said contact members are in engagement with one another.

7. A disconnecting switch comprising a pair of insulators arranged i'n spaced substantially parallel relation with one another,

arms supported by said insulators and hav-- ing electrical contact members thereon and a crank for rotating said insulators to separate said arms, links connecting said crank with said insulators to separate said arms, said linksl having connection with said crank on .oppositesides vof the dead center positionof said crank when said contact members are'in electrical engagement with each other. I

8. A disconnecting switch comprising a pair of spaced insulators having their axes substantially parallel, contact'arms carried by said insulators, crank arms connected with said insulators 'and extending in substantially the same direction from the central plane thereof, links connected with Ysaid crank arms and a common crank foroperatingA said links, said crank having separate connections with said links in position to impart movement to said links in opposite directions at the beginning of rotation of said crank to open said switch and to subsequently move said links in the same direction.

9. A disconnecting switch comprising a pair of contact members, means "for opening and closingsaid members and means normally tending automatically to move said members to either open or closed position when they are slightly displaced from said respective positions.

10. A disconnecting switch 'comprising a pair of contact arms,l a crank for operating said arms, oppositely extending links con-- nected with said crank and a stop for said links to permit theweight of said crank and links to automatically retain'said switch in either open or closed position.

11. A disconnecting switch comprising 'a )air of contact members, o eratinn means 7 D for said members and a supporting stop for said operating means' to support said operating means in position torequire lift- 'ing thereofto move 'said-contact members out of either open or closcdposition.

12. A disconnecting switchcomprising a pair of contactmembers, a shaft for operating said' contact members, a crank mounted on said shaft, links extending in opposite directions from saidcrank and means con-l' necting said links with said contact members, one of said links being arranged to rest uponsaid shaft and support s aid crank when said switch is in open position,

closed position.

13. A disconnecting switch comprising a pair of insulatorshavin'g their axes arranged in spaced substantially parallel relation to each other, contact members supported by said insulators and extending therefrom toward each other, crank ar'ms connected with said insulators' and projecting on the same side of the central plane thereof, a"transverse shaft disposed between the axes of said insulators, a crank secured 'to said shaft,

links extending. in opposite directions from said crank and having the ends thereof connected with said. crank arms, said links having spaced connections withsaidcrank and "get-her in one directionduringr while' the other link restsupon said shaft to support said crank when said switch is in ineens?l engage said shaft when said crank is rotated .through approximately 180 degrees, the weight of said links and crank operating to retain said crank at the limits of its rota- '14. A disconnecting switch comprising a supporting member, a pair of insulators having pins Journaled in said supporting member in spaced parallel relation, switch arms ning ot -anopening operatien .o

arms respectively, a common crank for actu;

ating said'rotating means, separate links for connecting said crank with said respective rotating means, and a common stop for coarranged to permit said links to alternately I arms tc- 'operating with said links to limit themovei ment of said crank when said switch arms have moved through -the range of their movements.

16. A disconnecting switch comprising a member movable to two limiting positions for opening and closing said switch, a sheave for operating said member, a crank for opmovement of said crank to approximately 360 degrees and connecting means for mov- 'erating said sheave, means for 'limiting ing said member through its complete range of movementy for a complete operation of said crank. In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification on this 6th day of August, A. 1924.,

vAR'IHR O. AUSTIN. 

